"Winning bidder will receive a 90 minute in-home wine and cheese tasting event, organized and led by wine and cheese expert, Lauren Bernard.  This event includes everything but product, and Lauren will go shopping with clients to select the perfect cheeses and wines for your event."

About Lauren Bernard: 

"Lauren's love of cheese and wine was born over the 6-year period that she studied and worked in France and Italy. She holds Master Degrees from Columbia University (International Communications, 1989) and Rice University (European History, 1998) but states that her "real education" began in 1996, behind the counter of a venerable cheese shop near Philadelphia! 

Soon after, she developed a keen interest in wine, and her next job proved to be the perfect place for indulging her new passion. As Cheese and Specialty Foods' Manager at Spec's Wine, Spirits, and Fine Foods--the largest retailer of wine and spirits in the world--located in Houston, TX, Lauren learned about wine from some of the industry's most experienced wine buyers. 

In 1999, Lauren and her husband moved from Houston to Brookline. She spent four more years in specialty food and wine retail at The Wine and Cheese Cask, one of the Boston area's most enduring and beloved wine and cheese shops. Then in 2003, Lauren made the move to wholesale and eventually became New England Regional Manager for one of the country's premier importers and distributors of cheese and other specialty foods. 

In 2007, the professional trade association for women in the food and culinary sectors, Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, awarded Lauren a scholarship to study wine at the Culinary Institute of America near Napa, CA (selecting her from more than 300 applicants). There, Lauren immersed herself in the study of grape varietals and the tasting of wines from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas, earning a Mastering Wines II Certification. 

Soon, Lauren's knowledge of wine nearly matched that of cheese, and she began her own event-planning business, Cheese & Wine By Design. As a local entrepreneur, Lauren offers custom cheese and wine tastings in peoples' homes and at corporate functions and charity events. In addition, Lauren has became a sought-after consultant, advising and training staff at restaurants and retailers on the selection, merchandising, and pairing of wine and cheese.

A native of New York City and Philadelphia, Lauren, along with her husband and young son have made Brookline their permanent home. In addition to consulting and event-planning, Lauren actively supports the Edward Devotion School community with her work with DASEP (Devotion After School Enrichment Program). Lauren also is a committed civil servant, serving as Town Meeting Member from Brookline's Precinct 8 (since May 2013) and as a member of the North Brookline Neighborhood Association (since 2001)."